Page 81 of Parker

“Um…let’s see…here’s an apology on Sunday for drunk-texting, but telling you that the feelings I shared the night before were ‘real’ and wishing you’d talk to me.”

She clears her throat, looking up at me with watery eyes. “Any more?”

“They get sparser after that. There’s one from Wednesday of last week, saying I’ll stop texting and respect your space. And on Friday, yesterday, a broken heart emoji.”

She clenches her jaw and winces, then gulps in a way that looks painful.

“Is that it?”

“That’s it. Why do you care? Does it matter?”

“Of course it matters.”

“Really?” I shove my phone back into my pocket and lean forward in my chair, clasping my hands between my knees. “Because two weeks ago, you threw me out of your room and told me I was the worst mistake you ever made. Then you blocked me, refused to talk to me, and just told me that even if you’d received my texts, you wouldn’t have agreed to meet or talk.” I throw up my hands. “Sowhydoes it matter, Parker?”

“Because I’m readynow,” she says, her voice so soft, I’m not sure I hear her correctly. “I’m ready to talk to you now.”

“You are?”

She nods. “I needed some time. Honestly, Quinn, it was probably the best thing.”

“Not for me. It was torture.”

“I’m sorry for that,” she says. “I don’t remember blocking you. I must have done it that morning when I was so angry. I-I was genuinely shocked just now when you told me you’d been in touch.”

“So, how did having time help?” I ask, sitting back in my chair and watching her.

“That video that the Joneses made was embarrassing. Really embarrassing.”

“I know, but it wasn’t my fault, Par—”

“I know it wasn’t! I know that!” She wrings her hands together. “I was so angry, and since you were the only person around, I knew I was going to blow my top and say things to you that I’d regret. I asked you to leave, Quinn. Three or four times. I begged you to leave me alone. And you just…you wouldn’t go. And finally, I just exploded.”

“Do you regret what you said?”

“Oh my god, Quinn.” She tilts her head to the side, her expression intensely sorry. “Of course!”

“Which things…specifically?”

“Youweren’ta mistake. Wearen’tbullshit.” She stares at me long and hard. “And I hope there’s a place inthisuniverse where we can…maybe,if you’ll give me another chance…be together.”

I could cry. I could literally bawl like a baby, I’m so fucking relieved. When I walked into Harper Raven’s house tonight, I had no idea what the evening had in store, but Harper did. She’s been my guardian angel more than once, helping me to win over her sister against all odds. I’ll be forever grateful to her.

“I can’t tell you how sorry I am, Quinn. I’ve regretted those words every day since I said them.”

“I wish I’d known that sooner.”

“I needed to cool down.”

I scan her face, looking into her eyes. “Do you mean it? About wanting to be together?”

Her expression brightens a little. Her eyes shine with the sort of tenderness I didn’t know I’d ever see in them again.

“Yeah. I mean it. I can’t stop thinking about you, Quinn. My feelings—I can’t lie to you. I’m not where you are. Not yet,” she says. “But I’m getting there. I care about you. So much.”

My heart, which has been shriveling for two weeks, bursts with love for her. Butterflies beat their tiny wings against the sides of my stomach. I feel…hope.Real hope. More hope than I’ve ever felt before. Because we’re not in Vegas anymore. We’rehome. We’re living ourreallives now, and she’s saying that she wants to be a part of mine.

“We have things we need to work on if we’re going to give this a chance,” she says, her face turning serious. “That video was triggering for me. Really triggering. And I don’t want to make you feel bad by saying this, but for years and years, you and Sawyer pranked me…and when I saw that video, all of those old feelings came back fast. I believe you love me, Quinn, I do. But I don’t think I trust you yet. I saw that video, and my old mistrust reared its head, hot and ready to fight. It overwhelmed my new feelings completely.” She sighs. “I…I want to believe that time will help me learn how to trust you, will solidify my trust in you, but—”

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